Source: Mets to hire Minaya

NEW YORK -- The New York Mets are revamping their front
office for the second straight offseason, hiring Omar Minaya from
the Montreal Expos to become the head of baseball operations.

Minaya, the Expos general manager for the past three seasons,
was contacted earlier this week and told the Mets on Tuesday that
he would leave the Expos to return to New York, a baseball official
said on the condition he not be identified.

Mets owner Fred Wilpon declined comment when reached at his home
Tuesday night.

Minaya had spoken with the Mets last offseason and was offered a
job, but declined it when he was not offered full decision-making
power. He now will be above general manager Jim Duquette in the
hierarchy, although his formal title has not yet been determined,
the baseball official said.

New York called a news conference for Thursday to make what the
team said would be a "major announcement."

He was senior assistant general manager of the Mets under Steve
Phillips before he was hired by the commissioner's office as
general manager of the Expos in 2002. He is known for his emphasis
on scouting and player development, and while with the Texas
Rangers was responsible for the signing of Sammy Sosa.

Phillips was fired during the 2003 season and replaced by
Duquette, who at first was given the job on an interim basis, then
was given the full general manager title last Oct. 28.

The Mets, without a World Series title since 1986, flopped in
the second half this year and head into the final four games of the
season with a 70-88 record, fourth in the NL East, ahead of only
the Expos.

New York has already told manager Art Howe that he is being
fired at the end of the season, halfway through a $9.4 million,
four-year contract.

Minaya's status with the Expos was uncertain. The team likely
will be moved to Washington, D.C., next year, with an announcement
possible as soon as Wednesday. The franchise, bought by the other
29 clubs before the 2002 season, likely will be sold during the
offseason.